Jinxed! ** (1982, Bette Midler, Ken Wahl, Rip Torn) – Classic Movie Review 6786

Bette Midler’s 1982 black comedy Jinxed! was certainly jinxed. It was supposed to be a classy hit what with director Don Siegel, cinematographer Vlimos Zsigmond and writers Frank D Gilroy and David Newman – all top names. But it was made under difficult circumstances and they show in the messy movie up there on screen. It should be carefree and fun but it feels contrived and careless.

The public responded by staying away and Midler took the blame, putting a dent in her popularity. But it also proved the end of Siegel’s illustrious career, as his final film. Look at the figures: it cost $13,400,000 and grossed $2,870,000 in the US.

Midler plays Bonita Friml, a Las Vegas lounge singer with a professional gambler gangster boyfriend, Harold Benson (Torn), who has jinxed a young blackjack dealer, Willie Brodax (Ken Wahl), and cannot lose with him. Brodax responds by stealing Friml away from Benson, and the pair plot to kill him for his life insurance.

Jinxed! was a box-office flop but it is quite lively and quirky, the wacky, raunchy yarn is quite amusing. There is nothing wrong with the story. The acting is okay. Midler is always watchable and there is a ripping performance from Rip Torn.

Supposedly it was not a happy ship. It was alleged that Midler, Wahl and Siegel did not see eye to eye. Siegel reportedly had so many clashes with Midler that he later said: ‘I’d let my wife, children, and animals starve before I’d subject myself to something like that again.’ Allegedly also, Midler and Wahl made no secret of their mutual dislike, battling throughout filming. Wahl even told the media how much he disliked kissing Midler.

Story and co-screen-writer Frank D Gilroy must count his blessings that he decided to remove his name from the film and hide behind the pseudonym ‘Best Bessing’. Jinxed! is based on Gilroy’s 1980 novel The Edge, which producer Herb Jaffe hired David Newman to re-write for the screen. A United Artists production boss suggested Midler as star and she asked for Siegel as director. Jerry Blatt, Carol Rydall, Midler and Siegel re-wrote the screenplay.

Sam Peckinpah agreed to direct 12 days of second unit work on his friend Siegel’s request. Siegel suffered a heart attack during production, and Peckinpah directed some of the film without credit.

Lalo Schifrin composed and recorded his sixth score for Siegel, but the studio rejected it despite Siegel’s objections.

Maybe they should have stuck with the earlier titles for the film of The Jackpot and Hot Streak. They are both a bit generic but is would have been much safer – ie no jinx! But, anyway, it is a sad story, with no happy ending.

Also in the cast are Val Avery, Jack Elam, Benson Fong, Jacqueline Scott, F William Parker, Ian Wolfe, George Dickerson, Kathryn Kates and James Nolan.

Jinxed! is directed by Don Siegel, runs 103 minutes, is released by MGM-UA, is written by Frank D Gilroy and David Newman, is shot by Vilmos Zsigmond, is produced by Herb Jaffe, is scored by Bruce Roberts and Miles Goodman, and designed by Ted Haworth.

Wahl sustained life-threatening neck injuries in a motorbike accident in 1992 and battled addictions to ease the pain, which now manages his pain with medical assistance. His last screen role was in 1996 in the TV movie Wiseguy.

 © Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6786

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